Beyonce’s “Bigger” from her Black is King soundtrack has an intense link to the Lost Notes: 1980 due to its overall message regarding Black excellence. This song is about the unification of the Black community and how they all encompass a part of a greater whole. With lyrics such as “No matter how hard it gets, You got my blood in ya, And you’re gonna rise” (2:30), Beyonce makes it known that regardless of any struggles or hardships endured, the Black community can overcome all of it for the simple fact that they have a connection deeper than just the surface level. This is apparent in Lost Notes: Stevie Wonder made a massive comeback after a failed album; the Sugar Hill Gang became incredibly successful in the hip-hop world despite claims of their illegitimacy as hip-hop musicians; Miriam Makeba suffered backlash for speaking on civil rights struggles in South Africa yet she never stopped making music and speeches about it; Grace Jones continued to be her most authentic self in spite of criticisms for her outgoing persona; Minnie Riperton demonstrated what it means to be strong as she succeeded in her career while fighting with terminal cancer. All of these people are united by one thing: they are Black, and as a result, they have to fight larger battles than anyone else. “Bigger” redefines Black excellence as something that does not begin with the superficial, but rather the spiritual. There is a spiritual joy in being “Black on purpose for a purpose” (Dillard) and this purpose is what pushes the Black community to continue to thrive in their endeavors regardless of the obstacles in their path. 

“Bigger” by Beyonce https://youtu.be/14di5tJxn7c?t=150

Dillard, Cynthia B. “When Black Is [Queen]: Towards an Endarkened Equity and Excellence in Education.” Equity & Excellence in Education, vol. 54, no. 1, 2021, pp. 19–27, https://doi.org/10.1080/10665684.2020.1863884.